Biogenesis suspensions: Bad for baseball, good for the Twins?

[Parker Hageman]

With the Biogenesis scandal taking out some key players across the league, the Minnesota Twins could stand to benefit from the suspensions.

 

According to an ESPNDallas.com story, the recently suspending Nelson Cruz leaves the contending Texas Rangers without a right-handed power bat in the outfield. As such, the team may potentially be in the market for one at the August waiver deadline for a player like Josh Willingham, cites the article.

 

(h/t @DBrauer)

[StormJH1]

It's an interesting angle. Tough to say it's too far fetched when you look at the way the Tigers handled picking up Iglesias to respond to Peralta's suspension. Then again, that's a very aggressive front office with money to spend, and a history of reacting quickly to lost players (see: Fielder FA signing/V-Mart Injury).

[LaBombo]

When I saw the title, I wondered if it was about Willingham's market value going up, or about the Twins' weak offense looking better relative to rest of the league after some of their PED-fueled power hitters sit down for the year.

[Winston Smith]

Question: Can you put a player on the IR on waivers?

I would hope that Terry has already run most of the team thru waivers except Joe of course no need to get everyone in a tizzy.

[DaveW]

I doubt Willingham makes it to the Rangers, he still is a nice bat on a decent contract where a team like the Royals, Yankees etc would likely block them. (No way the Twins just let him goto a team anyways)

 

The best bet is for Willingham to come back, hit well and then either trade him this off-season or sometime next season when his value is actually back up a bit.

[drjim]

I doubt Willingham makes it to the Rangers, he still is a nice bat on a decent contract where a team like the Royals, Yankees etc would likely block them. (No way the Twins just let him goto a team anyways)

 

The best bet is for Willingham to come back, hit well and then either trade him this off-season or sometime next season when his value is actually back up a bit.

 

Or stay on the roster and contribute to the start of the turnaround next year.

[Joe A. Preusser]

Or stay on the roster and contribute to the start of the turnaround next year.

 

Might be a great leader to some of the kiddies next year. All he has to do is rebound to 25 HR and 80 RBI, OPS = .850 to be a value guy on his contract. I don't think that is unlikely if he's healthy.

[jorgenswest]

Willingham has had three season of OPS better than .850 in his career... 2006, 2009, 2012. His projections from ZIPS, Oliver and Steamer going into this season ranged from .816 and .826. That was following a career 2012 season. His projections going into next season will be lower. While an .850 OPS is possible, it is certainly not a reasonable expectation.

 

I doubt there are many teams that would claim him and commit the 9-10 million for a guy that really needs to be a DH.

 

Kansas City has Butler and Gordon. Where would he play? They can't afford to commit that money to a pinch hitter.

 

The Yankees need to get under the luxury tax next year. They can't commit 7 million in 2014. If they could, they would have signed Martin last offseason.

 

How many National League teams would play him as their regular LF with his defense?

 

I think there is a very reasonable chance that he will pass through waivers to the point that someone like the Rangers claims him. The Twins should take whatever they can get for him.

 

If for some reason the Royals claim him as suggested above, the Twins should let him go. Give the burden of that contract to the low budget Royals, that would be a lot of dollars to invest in the DH spot.

[diehardtwinsfan]

The only way biogenesis is good for the Twins is if Morneau and Willingham come out swinging in August and both pass through waivers unclaimed.